Sherri Wright Board Member | Colorado Department of Education
The Colorado Department of Education held a ceremony in Denver to honor 71 school districts and 346 schools with performance awards for the 2023 and 2024 school years. The event took place at the Colorado State University Spur Campus, with State Board of Education Chair Rebecca McClellan, Vice Chair Yazmin Navarro, board members Lisa Escárcega and Kathy Gebhardt, and Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova presenting the awards.
“These awards celebrate schools and districts that are achieving results through creativity, determination, and a relentless focus on students,” said Córdova. “Their success reflects what can happen when educators stay committed to doing what works—and keep pushing forward.”
The recognized schools and districts received accolades in categories including Centers of Excellence, John Irwin School of Excellence, Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award, High School Academic Growth Award, and Districts Accredited with Distinction.
A total of 695 awards were distributed among the honored institutions:
- The Centers of Excellence Award acknowledges schools with high student growth rates among those with at least 75% at-risk students. Ten schools received this award in 2023, while 17 earned it in 2024.
- The John Irwin Award is given to schools demonstrating excellent academic achievement over three years. In 2023, this award went to 215 schools; in 2024, it was awarded to 210.
- The Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award honors schools showing exceptional student growth over three years. It was awarded to 96 schools in both years.
- Thirteen districts were recognized as Accredited with Distinction in 2023 for earning at least 80% on their District Performance Frameworks; this number increased to 17 in 2024.
- Nine high schools received the High School Academic Growth Awards each year for outstanding student growth in reading, writing, and math.
The Colorado Department of Education aims to foster equitable educational environments where all students thrive by improving outcomes across the state's school districts.
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